World of Orchids

Submitted by: Rene Van Rems, AIFD | Creative Director San Diego Botanic Garden

Encinitas, CA
May 20, 2022

AIFD, beyond “floral” design…

As AIFD^® accredited designers we are socially often proudly introduced by our friends and family by what we do professionally. This is a rather American culture as it is presumed people have an interest in what we do for a living. For instance, when asked, I tell people I am a designer or “in the floral industry”, and most of the time the response is, “where is your flower shop?”. Often there is more to it than a traditional retail operation alone. There are 14,000 brick and mortar retail flowers shops left in the United States! (per SAF retail statistics)

I was asked to share my perspective.

Firstly, I always thank people for their interest and explain that there are many ways to be in the floral industry and then go into the big picture. If they are still listening.

I am very fortunate to have received 6 years of horticultural education at two Aalsmeer, The Netherlands, based educational institutions. It included studies in horticulture, floriculture, plant physiology, (lots of) nomenclature, biology, floral design and floral merchandising.  During these school years studies were combined with mandatory apprenticeships in one associated field or another, such as working in greenhouses, harvesting, flower shops, working at the famous flower auction and for me, working in design with the late Abel Verheijen, a very well known international designer and ambassador for the Flower Council of Holland. He truly was my mentor and took me under his wing when I was 14. Fortunately my parents approved! This period gave me a tremendous foundation from the ground up. The old-school way!

The beauty of being well rounded in a profession is that one can select any number of niches in which to specialize as I have done throughout my years in the United States. Many seasoned AIFD designers work as retail designers but also for showroom or as display designers, importers, large bouquet assembly companies, wire services, education, internet based sales organizations, event companies and (decorative) product development industries and so on. Find someone who does any of these and try to “tag along” and learn. Eyes and ears open at all times!

For many years I have been involved with The San Diego Botanic Garden which at the time was known as Quail Gardens. I, and a huge team of volunteers ended up producing their “Gala” fundraiser each year for 20 years. I ended up being invited to live on the property of the Garden which is in coastal Encinitas, California. I am literally a true “artist in residence”.

Most botanic gardens, arboreta and other nature based institutions have a horticultural staff and a gardening crew and lots of volunteers. Few of these prestigious places have a creative or design team. Longwood Gardens, The New York Botanical Gardens and a few others seem to be the exception. Often, exhibits are designed by visiting horticulturist or garden designers who are retained specifically for the event.

Naturally, as a horticulturist and designer, the connection was authentic and when I was invited to design the new exhibits in the Dickinson Family Education Conservatory at the San Diego Botanic Garden, I was excitedly “on board”.

This newer episode in my creative life is truly an execution of what each seasoned designer knows and works on in each situation. Firstly, planning, with the principles and elements of design in the forefront at all times. Proportion, scale, color, texture, harmony etc. Then, (and less creative), work with all the parties involved to keep it realistic and approved by operations, management etc.

My point; as a “designer” one can educate one’s-self to grow professionally and reach to other segments of this ever so seamless industry. Work at flower and plant shows, volunteer at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses or any other larger scale special event to learn the skills that cannot possibly be learned in the classroom. As an AIFD designer, the sky truly is the limit.